Courtenay Dobbie to replace Kathryn Shaw, 35-year artistic director of Studio 58
The director and former head of Caravan Farm Theatre steps in to head the theatre program at Langara College in January 2021
Kathryn Shaw
Courtenay Dobbie
STUDIO 58 artistic director Kathryn Shaw is stepping down after 35 years as head of the acclaimed theatre program at Langara College. And she already has a replacement.
The theatre faculty have elected Courtenay Dobbie to succeed her. She’ll step into the role in January 2021.
Dobbie is a Studio 58 alum, a theatre director, and the former artistic director of Caravan Farm Theatre. She has been teaching acting at Studio 58 since 2017 and directed the program’s production of Urinetown: The Musical earlier this year.
Shaw began as an instructor at Studio 58 in 1974 under artistic director Anthony Holland, replacing him when he retired in 1985. Recently, Shaw has made the news about her focus on diversity initiatives at Studio 58, including founding a student-led diversity committee. In 2018 she embarked on a research project to diversify the curriculum and program offerings at Studio 58, with the goal of creating a living database of plays by BIPOC playwrights.
Under her leadership in 2018, the school announced it would be fully adopting a zero-tolerance initiative against bullying and harassment called #NotInOurSpace. In her statement to the show's company members, Shaw said the facility "is committed to the pursuit of respectful workspaces, and we support anyone who witnesses or experiences inappropriate behaviours. Conduct that undermines the dignity or self-esteem of an individual, or which creates an intimidating, hostile or offensive environment is unacceptable and will not be tolerated.
"The time has come for me to move on in my life and to allow Studio 58 to change and grow under new leadership. I will miss working with my colleagues, the students, and all those who have contributed to the success of Studio 58 over the years. I feel privileged to have had one of the best jobs I could imagine," Shaw said in a statement about her retirement today.
Studio 58 has announced a season that adapts to the pandemic times with a mix of virtual offerings, starting with a rendition of the classic A Doll’s House on October 10.
“We face challenging times in the theatre world. It is my goal to work with our students, staff, and professional colleagues in the global movement to find greater equity in our industry, while innovating in response to the COVID-19 pandemic,” Dobbie said in the press announcement today. “The Studio 58 graduate will remain the same: a highly skilled and creative professional responding to their world by making and participating in dynamic and inspired art.”
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